Turkish soldier martyred in northern Syria

ANKARA

A Turkish soldier was martyred when an explosive device went off during a security sweep in northern Syria, Turkish defense ministry said Monday.

In a statement, the ministry said the soldier was martyred in northern Syria, where Turkey launched anti-terror Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to eliminate terrorists from the area in order to secure its border, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara and Washington reached a deal on Oct. 17 to pause the operation for 120 hours to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the planned safe zone.

On Oct. 22, Turkish Presiden Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting in Russia's Black Sea resort town of Sochi.

Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists will pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Turkey’s border with northern Syria within 150 hours, and security forces from Turkey and Russia will conduct joint patrols there.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.